Hospital Visitor Entry Direction (No. 2)

Understanding this Direction

Information to help you understand what this Direction means for visiting people in hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

Summary

Effective from: 5pm AEST 13 May 2022

Posted: 13 May 2022

Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)

Section 362B

On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 24 June 2022 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following directions pursuant to the powers under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

Preamble

  1. This Public Health Direction replaces the Public Health Direction referred to as the Hospital Visitor Entry Direction made on 12 March 2022 and is the successor of that Direction.

  2. This Public Health Direction is to be read in conjunction with other Public Health Directions issued under section 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 that have not expired or been revoked.

Citation

  1. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Hospital Visitor Entry Direction (No. 2).

Revocation

  1. The Hospital Visitor Entry Direction made on 12 March 2022 is revoked from time of publication.

Commencement

  1. This Direction applies from time of publication until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced.

Application

  1. This Direction applies to a person who is seeking to enter and remain in a hospital in Queensland as a visitor to a patient of that hospital, or to provide products or services on a voluntary basis as part of their role with an organisation other than the hospital.

  2. The Direction does not apply to other persons who may enter the hospital, including as a patient, or as an employee or person engaged by the hospital for paid or unpaid work, or to emergency services staff in the performance of official duties or to respond to an emergency or an emergent need.

    Note: a person who is an employee, a student undertaking placement, or a volunteer engaged directly by a hospital is not considered a visitor who is subject to the requirements of this direction but is considered a worker in healthcare who is required to comply with the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 4) or its successors

PART 1 – ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSPITALS

General entry requirements

  1. A person who is permitted to enter and remain in a hospital as a visitor is subject to the limits provided in Schedule 1, and additional requirements of the operator of the hospital, that are reasonable and necessary for patient safety.

    Notethe Operator of a hospital should not unreasonably limit visitors to a patient. The restrictions in this Direction are considered reasonably necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community so additional restrictions should only be imposed to respond to a particular emergency or local outbreak within the hospital and should consider the least restrictive option available to address the emergency situation.

  2. Where a specific location within a hospital is not listed in Schedule 1, the visitor limits for Patient Areas apply, unless the operator of the hospital determines otherwise.

    Note –Visitor numbers in all parts of a hospital are limited according to Schedule 1.

  3. A person who is permitted to enter a hospital as a visitor must comply with face mask requirements in any other public health direction, and any additional personal protective equipment requirements; or any other additional restrictions for visitors implemented by the operator.

Restrictions on entry for diagnosed persons, close contacts and international arrivals

  1. Subject to paragraph 12, a person is not permitted to enter or remain in a hospital as a visitor, if the person:

    1. has any symptoms consistent with COVID-19; or

    2. is awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test unless the test was for a surveillance testing obligation under a Public Health Direction or Protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer; or

    3. is not permitted to enter and remain in a vulnerable or high-risk setting under the:

      1. Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successors; or

      2. Requirements for International Arrivals Direction or its successors.

    Note: A person awaiting COVID-19 test results as part of a surveillance testing obligation must still comply with the requirements in paragraph 11(a) and (c). For example, a person awaiting results of a routine COVID-19 test required under a direction must not enter, or remain on, the premises of a residential aged care facility if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

  1. Paragraph 11 does not apply where the person is seeking to enter and remain in a hospital as a visitor:

    1. and is within the exception for a birthing suite listed in Schedule 1; or

    2. for the purpose of an end of life visit for a patient of that hospital and has an exemption under PART 4 for the end of life visit; and

    3. is permitted to leave isolation or has an exemption under the:

      1. Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successors; or

      2. Requirements for International Arrivals Direction or its successors

  2. If paragraph 12 applies to a person proposing to enter a hospital, the operator of the hospital may require the person to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to patients.

    Example – the operator of the hospital may require the person to use a single-use surgical face mask or appropriate personal protective equipment; or where applicable, provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result obtained by the person in Queensland within the previous 24 hours.

Restrictions on entry for unvaccinated visitors

  1. A person who is unvaccinated, other than a patient of the hospital, must not enter, or remain at, a hospital in the State of Queensland as a visitor of a patient of the hospital, unless the person is:

    1. under 16 years of age; or

    2. unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination because of a medical contraindication and has evidence of a medical contraindication; or

    3. is a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant, and receipt of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved COVID-19 vaccine would impact the validity of the trial. As this exemption is temporary, the medical certificate must not have expired.

      Note: An unvaccinated visitor who is permitted to enter the hospital must follow the risk mitigation measures put in place by the hospital. For example, this may require wearing a single use-surgical face mask, safely physically distancing from others or having a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entering the facility.

    4. visiting the patient of the hospital for one of the following purposes:

      1. end of life visit; or

      2. to be a support person during childbirth; or

      3. in an emergency.

      Note: For example, an unvaccinated person other than a patient of the hospital, may enter in circumstances of an emergency such as next of kin signing a consent form for emergency surgery.

    5. a parent, carer, guardian or other responsible adult who is accompanying a child or minor that is a patient of the hospital; or

      Note: The unvaccinated parent, carer, guardian, or other responsible adult will need to comply with the risk mitigation measures put in place by the hospital. For example, this may require wearing a single use-surgical face mask, safely physically distancing from others or having a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entering the facility. Only one unvaccinated parent carer, guardian or responsible adult will be allowed to accompany a child or minor to an appointment or admission at a time.

    6. a carer or support person who provides assistance or other caring responsibilities, including advocacy services, to the person who is a patient of the hospital; and

      Note: A patient of the hospital may require support from an advocate or person who has provided long-term informal support. This could include behavioural support, disability support or support due to significant health needs.

    7. a person to whom any of sub-paragraphs (a) to (f) apply also meets the entry requirements for a diagnosed person, close contact or international arrival, where applicable.

    Example: a person who is unvaccinated who is also a diagnosed person must meet the requirements for entry for a diagnosed person and for an unvaccinated person.

Obligation on operators

  1. The operator of a hospital in the State of Queensland must make reasonable efforts to ensure that a visitor does not enter or remain within a hospital if the person is prohibited from doing so under this Direction.

PART 2 – ELECTRONIC COLLECTION OF CONTACT INFORMATION

Collection of information

  1. The operator of the hospital must make all reasonable efforts to electronically collect contact information about all visitors entering a hospital, at the time of entry, by either:

    1. requesting visitors use the Check In Qld app; or

    2. registering visitors through the Business Profile mode of the Check In Qld app.

    Example – a person may be unable to use the Check In Qld app due to age, disability, language barriers or does not possess the technology or own a mobile phone. The hospital must register the visitor through the Business Profile mode.

  1. Despite paragraph 16, an operator of a hospital is not required to request a person’s contact information under paragraph 16 if:

    1. the person is entering a hospital in an emergency; or

    2. the person is or appears to be younger than 16 years and is not accompanied by a parent or adult who can provide information on their behalf; or

    3. it is not reasonable to request contact information based on compassionate grounds or a risk to a person’s safety.

  2. An operator of a hospital must make all reasonable efforts to clearly display the Check In Qld app QR code at each entry to the hospital.

  3. A person who is permitted to enter a hospital under this Direction as a visitor, must at the time of entry provide their contact information to the operator of the hospital by:

    1. using the Check In Qld App; or

    2. providing their contact details to the operator of the hospital to be registered using the Business Profile mode of the Check In Qld app; or

    3. if another method of collection is being used under paragraph 22, using that method.

  4. If a person is unable to provide contact information because of age, disability or an inability to speak or comprehend the language used by the Check In Qld App or the other method of collection, another person may provide contact information on the person’s behalf.

  5. Despite paragraph 19, a person who is permitted to enter a hospital under this Direction as a visitor is not required to provide the person’s contact information to the operator of the hospital if:

    1. the person is entering a hospital in an emergency; or

    2. the person is under the age of 16 years old and is not accompanied by a parent or adult who can provide information on their behalf; or

    3. it is not reasonable for a person to provide contact information based on compassionate grounds or a risk to a person’s safety.

    Example – a support person accompanying a person arriving to the hospital in an ambulance in an emergency situation is not required to provide their contact information on entry to the hospital.

Collection of contact information using another method due to temporary circumstances

  1. If an operator of a hospital cannot electronically collect contact information for visitors to the hospital at the time of entry because it is not possible to use the Check In Qld app due to unexpected circumstances, or because the business is located in a place that does not have mobile internet data connection, the operator of the hospital must collect and keep contact information using another method.

    Example of another method – another electronic method such as a spreadsheet or another method such as a paper-based form.

    Noteunexpected circumstances may include temporary issues with failure of an internet service or breakdown in the Check In Qld app. Safety issues may include a risk of overcrowding while visitors wait to be checked in by the hospital using the Business Profile mode.

  2. If contact information is collected using ‘another method’ under paragraph 22, the operator of the hospital must:

    1. use best endeavours to transfer any non-electronic information to an electronic system within 24 hours of collecting the information; and

      Example – an electronic method such as a spreadsheet

    2. comply with the requirements for collection and storage; and

    3. if requested, provide the information collected under paragraph 22 and the electronic information under paragraph 16 to a public health officer within a stated time.

PART 3 – PROOF OF VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for visitors

  1. A visitor who enters or remains in a hospital must, prior to entry, provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant, unless permitted to enter and remain in the hospital under paragraph 14.

  2. If a visitor is unable to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant because of age, disability or an inability to speak or comprehend the language or technology used when requesting the proof or evidence, another person may provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or medical contraindication or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant on the person’s behalf.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or medical contraindication

  1. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant (printed or electronic) includes:

    1. written confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination provided to the person as part of the vaccination process, such as a record of vaccine card; or

    2. vaccination information displayed on the Check in Qld app; or

    3. a COVID-19 digital certificate or printed vaccination certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register; or

    4. an online or printed immunisation history statement for COVID-19 vaccination, including confirmation of a medical contraindication; or

      Note: A person’s immunisation history statement can be obtained from the Australian Government using myGov, the Medicare mobile app or by calling the Australian Immunisation Register and requesting a statement to be posted.

      Note: If a person is unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccination because of a recognised medical contraindication, they must provide evidence of a medical contraindication. Upon provision of evidence of a recognised medical contraindication, a person will be treated as if they are fully vaccinated.

    5. evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant;

    6. an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate:

      1. in a printed or electronic form from the Department of Home Affairs that confirms completion of an Australia Travel Declaration and vaccination against COVID-19 overseas; or

      2. through Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app; or

      3. an official record of vaccination provided to the person when vaccinated against COVID-19 overseas.

Requirements for owners and operators in relation to visitors

  1. An operator of a hospital must make reasonable efforts to confirm that the visitor entering and remaining on their premises meets the COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements by requesting and sighting proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or evidence of the visitor being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant (printed or electronic).

    Example: reasonable efforts may include displaying signs requiring persons over 16 years of age to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or evidence of participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

  2. An operator of a hospital is not required to request a proof of COVID-19 vaccination from a visitor under paragraph 27 if:

    1. the visitor is or appears to be younger than 16 years old; or

      Note: Whilst a person who is 15 years or younger is eligible to be fully vaccinated, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is only required for a visitor who is 16 years or older. A visitor who is under 16 years of age is eligible to attend all essential and non-essential activities.

    2. the person enters in an emergency; or

    3. it is not reasonable to collect proof of COVID-19 vaccination due to a risk to the safety of staff and other visitors.

PART 4 – EXEMPTIONS AND CONDITIONS

  1. The Chief Health Officer, a Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may, having regard to the need to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community, grant an exemption in writing to a visitor to whom paragraph 9 applies:

    1. for an End of life visit; or

    2. in other exceptional circumstances;

    from all or part of this direction to an individual or class of individuals.

  2. An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.

  3. If a visitor enters a facility under an exemption, the operator of the hospital must manage the visit in accordance with any conditions imposed by the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer, or delegate under the exemption.

    Example: An operator may need to ensure the patient being visited is in a single room, the visitor wears appropriate personal protective equipment, is escorted to and from the room, and avoids common areas and contact with other patients, visitors and staff.

PART 5 – OTHER MATTERS

  1. Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 2.

PART 6 – PENALTIES

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:

Failure to comply with public health directions

A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr John Gerrard
Chief Health Officer

13 May 2022

Published on the Queensland Health website at 5pm AEST

SCHEDULE 1 – RESTRICTIONS ON VISITOR ENTRY

Hospital areaVisitor restrictions:
Patient areas, during a patient’s hospital stay, including outpatient clinics, subject to specific restrictions below

A maximum of two visitors at any time, subject to:

  • a specific restriction in the table below applying or

  • the operator of the hospital allowing more than 2 visitors.

Emergency department

A single visitor is permitted in the following circumstances:

  • A parent/guardian of a dependent child

  • A support person for a patient requiring significant physical, communication or comprehension assistance

  • On compassionate grounds.

Neonatal Intensive Care/Special Care Nursery

Parents/carers have unrestricted visiting with a maximum of two people at a time.

An operator of a hospital may give permission for a sibling to visit on compassionate grounds.

Paediatric UnitParents/carers have unrestricted visiting with a maximum of two people at a time.
Pregnancy and birth

Antenatal clinics:

Women are permitted to be accompanied by their partner or one support person.

In exceptional circumstances, a second support person may be allowed, but permission must be sought by phoning the clinic before arriving for the appointment.

Birthing suites:

A birthing mother may have up to two support people in the birthing suite. A close contact or diagnosed person may visit the birthing suite if approved by the operator of the hospital and the close contact or diagnosed person complies with the hospital’s protocol for close contacts or diagnosed persons visiting the birthing suite.

An unvaccinated person who is not a diagnosed person or close contact does not require an exemption but must comply with any additional conditions required by the operator.

Any other person seeking entry as a support person during childbirth otherwise restricted from entering a hospital will be permitted entry in accordance with an exemption to be granted under Part 4.

Postnatal wards:

After birth, no more than two visitors are permitted at any one time. The two visitors may be an adult and a child of any age.

Operating Theatre and Recovery RoomVisitors are not routinely allowed. Parents may visit children post-surgery.
Critical care, coronary care or Intensive Care Unit)Two support people permitted at a time.
COVID designated zones, beds or wards

No visitors except where the patient is a child or has a cognitive impairment or has a need for a full time support person (due for example to frailty, self-care needs or a communication partner is required) provided the visitor has received a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine where eligible.

The operator of the hospital can permit visitors to a COVID designated area for exceptional reasons (as determined by the operator) or an end of life visit in accordance with local protocols, and regardless of vaccination status of the visitor.

Note: The visitor restrictions apply per patient at a particular time, unless otherwise indicated or determined by the operator of the hospital. For example, a patient may have two visitors and after those two visitors leave the hospital, a different two people may visit the patient.

Note: the visitor restrictions for Patient areas apply to any other part of the hospital that is not specifically listed in this Schedule 1, unless otherwise determined by the operator of the hospital.

Note: the numbers of visitors for a patient listed in this Schedule 1 relates to all other locations in the hospital. For example, it is not permitted for a large number of visitors to stay in a waiting area or a hospital public space beyond the number of permitted visitors.

Note: visitors are encouraged to keep in touch with patients via telephone or video call, and staff will support this.

SCHEDULE 2 – DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Direction:

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Business Profile mode means the ability for businesses to electronically register by entering customer contact details via ‘Check In Qld Business Profile mode’ listed in the profile section of the app.

Check In Qld app means the app developed by the Queensland Government for contact tracing purposes which, when used by a person, provides the Queensland Government with the person’s contact information and details of the person’s attendance at a hospital.

Note – Each person should check in individually using the Check In Qld app or have a person in their group or the hospital check in on their behalf.

Close contact has the same meaning as in the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successor.

Contact information means the information collected by the Check in Qld app or, if another collection method is permitted under this Direction, the name, phone number, email address, and the date and time of attendance of visitors.

COVID-19 PCR test means for a person who is:

  1. 12 months of age or over, an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab of a person who is 12 months of age or over, for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

  2. under 12 months of age, a saliva swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

Note: A COVID-19 PCR test does not include a self-test.

COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) means a test to detect the presence of viral protein from SARS-CoV-2, not based on nucleic acid detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction and approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

COVID-19 test means a COVID-19 PCR test or a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

COVID-19 vaccination or COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccine was obtained overseas.

COVID-19 vaccine trial means a medical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine under either the Clinical Trial Notification or Clinical Trial Approval schemes regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

COVID-19 vaccine trial participant means a person who:

  1. is an active participant in a COVID-19 vaccine trial; and

  2. provides a medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner, registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland) associated with the COVID-19 vaccine trial confirming that:

    1. the person is participating in a Phase 3 or 4 COVID-19 vaccine trial; and

    2. the person has received at least one active dose of the COVID-19 vaccine being trialled.

Diagnosed person has the same meaning as in the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successor.

Eligible health professional means any of the following:

  • fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • fellows of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • on Medicare’s Vocation Register of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

  • practice registrar on an approved 3GA training placement; or

  • paediatrician; or

  • public health physician; or

  • infectious diseases physician; or

  • clinical immunologist.

Emergency services means staff who respond to and deal with emergencies when they occur, such as ambulance service, police and the fire brigade, who may be required to enter a hospital in the performance of their official duties.

End of life visit means a hospital visit by a person for the purposes of end-of-life support for a patient of the hospital.

Face mask means a flat surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield).

Note – a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Fully vaccinated means a person who is 16 years of age or over has received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Note: Information about the World Health Organization COVAX program and WHO emergency use listing is available here: WHO COVID-19 vaccines.

Note: a person who has evidence of a medical contraindication is treated as being fully vaccinated

Hospital means:

  1. a hospital, as defined in schedule 2 to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011; or

  2. a private health facility, as defined in section 8 of the Private Health Facilities Act 1999; or

  3. a multi-purpose service, as defined in section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014 made under section 96-1 of the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth).

Immunisation history statement means a statement that displays all the immunisations a person has had that are on the Australian Immunisation Register.

Note: further information can be found on https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register

International arrival has the same meaning as under the Requirements for International Arrivals or its successor.

Isolate or isolating or isolation has the same meaning as under the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successor.

Medical contraindication means a person has a current:

  1. COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or

  2. Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation medical exemptions form completed and signed by an eligible health professional for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Notes: some medical contraindications are temporary and therefore the record or completed form may only be valid for a period of time.

A current completed and signed AIR immunisation medical exemption form is valid in printed or digital form.

Operator means a person who owns, controls or operates the hospital.

Example: The Chief Executive, Chief Operating Officer or Executive Director of a hospital.

Patient of the hospital means a person who is ill or injured and requests, is in need of, or is being provided with health, medical or pharmaceutical services by the hospital.

Post-isolation period means the period following end of isolation within which a diagnosed person is not permitted to enter a hospital, as specified in the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction or its successor.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination means evidence provided as outlined in PART 3 - that verifies a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Note: a person who provides evidence of a medical contraindication or is a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant is treated as if they are fully vaccinated.

Public health officer includes an emergency officer (general), a contact tracing officer or an authorised person under section 377 of the Public Health Act 2005.

Requirements for collection and storage means:

(a) securely storing contact information and not using it for any other purpose, other than for contact tracing; and

(b) deleting the information after not less than 30 days and not more than 56 days.

Student has the same meaning as in the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 4)

Support person means a spouse, family member, friend or carer that is providing support to the patient.

Surveillance testing obligation means a requirement under a Public Health Direction or Protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer for a person to be routinely tested for COVID-19, who does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is not required to self-isolate while awaiting a test result unless there is another lawful reason for them to isolate.

Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), headache, loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unvaccinated means the person has not received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Visitor means a person who is entering the hospital for the purpose of admitting or collecting, visiting or providing support to a patient of that hospital, or a person who enters the hospital to provide products or services on a voluntary basis, as part of their role with an organisation other than the hospital, but does not include:

  1. a patient of the hospital including a patient attending an outpatient clinic at the hospital;

  2. a worker in healthcare that is working at the hospital whether paid or not;

  3. emergency services staff;

  4. a person undertaking a legislated, regulatory, or compliance function;

  5. union official undertaking official duties in response to an emergent need;

  6. a person, permitted by the operator of the hospital, to maintain continuity of care for a patient that cannot be delivered by electronic or non-contact means.

Note: a person who provides construction, repair, or maintenance services on an unscheduled or intermittent basis is not a visitor since they have been engaged by the hospital to provide goods and services required for the effective operation of the hospital.

Note: a person who is engaged directly by the hospital for unpaid services is not considered a visitor for the purposes of this Direction but is considered a worker in healthcare who is required to comply with the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 4) or its successors.

Vulnerable or high risk setting has the same meaning as in the Management of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Close Contacts Direction.

Volunteer has the same meaning as in the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 4) or its successors.

Worker in healthcare has the same meaning as in the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 4) or its successors.

Requests for Exemptions

If you are seeking exemption from a Public Health Direction, you can submit your request online

Last updated: 30 May 2022